Box pleating machine



Patented Oct. 7, 1952 Box PLEATING MACHINE J 500B SiI verman, Brooklyn N. fifipli'c'ati'dn Jiniefi'fl, 1950; S'erialNo. I'TIAZY The present: invention relates: w a machine for forming: box pleats-1n fame sheets? and partioulrarly ina pockets of a type frequently useduin ladies dresses andtshitsi Folding; and pressing: machines -aive in: the

36 Glaims. (01. 223- 30) past taken many forms; The most-common: type of" machine is characterized by having a;- forming plate: of: a shape similar to" that of the desired folded fabt'icrob jectpfolhlng; members being mov-- ableoyer thatplate toibldion bend a fabnic sheet around the edges therecfi, the? thus folded sheet, often still: on the" forming plate; then: being pressed: so as to maintainits shape. Machines of this general: typehave proved quite satisfactony in many applications-tbut thein useto form box pleats has in the past pnesented-consi-denable difficulties. p l I I By box pleats are'meant sheets folded so as tohave a pain of folds toniejnted toward! one another and then reversely bent-so as to extend away from one=another That-edges defined lay the reverse 'bendsv shun-1d,. i'n v order to present: the most attractive appearance possible, bepositioned as close as possible to one: anoth'e r ,-;andpreferably shoul'd abut one another. Adaptations ot the machines general usetor pleating hayekheen able to. form box pleats but,.because of, the general arrangement ofithose machines it has not inthevpast been poss'ihl'e to prodnce an optimum box pleat Because the movable foldingflmerjnhers, the inner edges of which. position the v edges of the" reverselybentpdrtidnsi of'the fabric sheet, were, physically olj'strncteflyfioih mdyihghll the Way thward dne ariothel" Thisdiffibhltit arose convenience" of? operation i f ii fi m? art aspect" of" the present invention; this be 11* accomplished hymountingithefonhtngfplate etween a pair of pressure plates;- both the formin'gmlateand one* of-"the pressmeplat oured'td the .riame of th'e'machin endsgthereofj the formln'g-plat e h'eingf moyahle yond the area-thereor-overwmch the fabric sheet is ada tedto be mbenfi, no ohstrhctiofi p rase'nted to" the movement oi the fbl'ding members toward one another, aha-hence the edges of? the oppositely dlr'ected pleats oar r abut one another.-

According: to. another aspect of the present'in'-- vention, the above organization ofwparts' in-- corporated into a machine including a table'ha ing an aperture therein, the'fonning" plate be'i'h below the aperture and narrower than the aperture sothat the side edges of the forming plate; around which-the fabric? sheetis a'dapted vto be 'inloent; are exposedt Thismode of organizatiom the pressing action exerted; by the machine is l y 1 is 'atop' plan view-, partly broken; away, of the machine 'of the; present A invention showing makes forfextreme iacility in use; the'fabii'ci sheet being readily placeable" under the' forming plate andthe edgesof that sheet re'mainin'g atop the table? where theymay he suitably'mampulated to ensure accuracy ofpleat formation.

Itisa feature of the presentinvention that not exerted against the-table but isinstead ex erted between: the pressure plates, folding memhers-and formingplate allmounted onthe table insuch a manner as to provide for easeof access,

positiveness of tunctiomslmplicityofconstrueticr and readiness of replaceability. r it Tothe accomplishment of the' aboveolojects',

and such otherQobjectseasmay hereinafter ap:

pea-myths present inyentionmelates to-a pleating q machine particularly designed forfthe formingofl b o x pleats as deflnedin-theappendedlclaims and-as descr-ibeclin the specification-taken toge'therfwith the accompanying-drawings in-whichq A ut wit s taken away. andshowing? the parts;

ional viewtakenerally designated B and comprises a bottom layer 2 and a pair of oppositely directed two-ply pleats generally designated 3 and 6, each of said pleats comprising layers 3 inwardly directed and reversely'bent at edges It so as to define outwardly extending layers 32. The problem to which this invention is primarily directed is the formation of such a pleat in which the edges IU of the re verse bends are as close to one another as possible, and preferably abut.

The machine of the present invention comprises a forming plate generally designated A around which a fabric sheet generally designated B is adapted to be bent through the action of folding members C, an upper pressure plate D and a lower pressure plate E being positioned above and below the forming plate A and folding members C, all these elements having relative degrees of movement such that the box pleat of Fig. '7 is first formed in the fabric sheet B and is then given a permanent setthrough a pressing action, preferably accompanied byheat. As an additional and very advantageous feature, a table F is provided having an apertureG therein through which access to the forming plate A is facilitated, the table 16 at the same time, retaining the unpleated portions of the fabric sheet Bin position where they may b readily manipulated. The table F has the further function of shielding the moving parts of the machine, thus preventing injury to the operator or to the fabric sheet 3 which is being operated upon.

The machine comprises a plate l4 suitably supported in a somewhat elevatedposition by means of any appropriate structure such as legs I6 whichare only fragmentarily shown. The folding members C are in the form of plateslfi of some suitableslightly resilienti'mat'erial which have thin elongatedfolding edges 28 extending toward one anothen The plates it are slidably mounted on top of thebase It, being provided with inclined slots 22 through which studs24 secured to the base plate i i-pass, Pins 26 extend downwardly 4 50 in which the screws 52 are received constitutes its mounting portion. It will be noted that the mounting portion is to one side of the operative portion, so that the space above the operative portion is free and unobstructed.

Mounted in the aperture in the base plate it for vertical movement is the lower pressure plate E, here shown as formed of a metal pad 62 somewhat wider than the leaf 50, and mounted on the plate. 64 'tothe underside of which, heating elemerits 65" aresecured by means of brackets the whole being assembled together by means of from the plates it; pa 'ssthrough slots 28 in the base plate it, which extend parallel to the slots 22', and are there secured to springs 30 the other ends of which are fixedly secured to pins 32 depending fromthe-base plate-M.- An' actuating plate 3 8 is slidably mounted'on the base plate [4 so as to move from front-to rear thereof while'engaging the front edges of the plates !8 and is provided with a bearingportion 36 against which the end 38 'ofactuati'ng' leverf lll bearssaid lever being pivo'tally mounted at 42 on an ear 44 extending V y from the frameof themachine; secured thereto by means of 'screws' lii, The leverdl] is provided witha manipulating handle 43 so that it can-be manually pivoted from its position shown inF'igs. l and 6 to its position shown'in Fig; 2. The portion of the machine where the lever is mounted will be'referred toas the front thereof, since it is at that end that the operator will stand.

The forming plate A here takes theform of a relatively narrow spring leaf 5d which is secured i to the base plate I l close to the back of the machine by meansof screws i 52. The central portionof the base plate 14 is apertured, that aperture being defined by'fside edges 54, front edge 56 and rear edge 58. The leaf 50 extends along the length of this aperture in the baseplate I4 and has a tip at whichextends out beyond and above they front edge 56 of .thatape'rture. The body of the leaf '50 constituteslits'"operative portion-it is over this portion that the fabric sheet B is I folded to definea box pleat. That part of the leaf screws :9. A lifting rod 72, operatively connected to a conventional lifting linkage (not shown) having an actuating lever F3 which is manually operated by a foot treadle, is secured to the lower pressure plate E so as to controllably move it upwardly when desired.

- Th upper ressure plate D takes the form of a thick rigid bar 74 here shown as somewhat narrower in width than the leaf 50 definingthe forming plate A. The bar 14- is rigidly mounted above and spaced vertically from the leaf 5%, this mounting being accomplished at the rear of -the ma" chine through the screws 15 so that the upper pressure. plate D is supported in cantilever fashion, a space being defined between its lower surface and the leaf 5fl'along substantially the entire length of those elements It will be noted that the thinfolding edges 20 of the sliding plates l8'which define the folding members C are so vertically positioned that they are adapted to enter the space between the bar 74 and the leaf 50 (see Figs; 3 and '4), their length being such as to clear the supportingstructure for the bar 74 and the leaf fifl'i'see Figs. 1 and 2). Inother Words, the plates l8 move over the operative portion of the leaf 50 in unobstructed manner but do not extend to the" mounting portion thereof.

"The machine of the present invention is provided-with a table F defined by'plate l8 secured tof'the base plate "l4 by"means-'of the screws l5) receivable in tapped holes '8 l in the base plate the plate 78 b'eing' spaced above the 'plate I l by means fof spacers 30 held in position on the latter by means of'screws' 82, ';The spacers 8!] also serve as positive stops 'fOr the plates 18 in their retractedposition. The pl'a tes l8 and '34 slide between the bhSe'plate' l4 and the table 'platell and g are 'providedwith'aplurality of'protrusions at to provide proper bearing' surfacesifor. the plates i8 andtdand tofpermit .tneplates it to be flexed upwardly for reasons" hereinafter to beset forth.

The aperture G 'in the table F is in line with but wider than the leafifiojd fining the forming plate A. Hence the side edgesv of the leaf 5%, around which the fabric'lsheet B is adapted to be bent to 'define'the lower plies 6 of the pleats i and ina icounter clockwisedirection until the plates I8 abut; the spacersflfl. Inthis position the thin folding edges 20 of the plates l8 are withdrawn so asto expose the forming plate A. That plate,be-

, 7- comprising an operative portion and a mounting portion at one end of said operative portion and secured to said frame, said operative portion being narrower than said aperture so that the side edges thereof are exposed, an upperpressure plate secured to said frame at a point to one side of the operative portion of said forming plate and overlying but vertically spaced from said operative portion of said forming plate, the'space between said upper pressure plate and said operativ portion of said forming plate being free and unobstructed, said forming plate being movable substantially perpendicular to the plane of said table, a lower pressure plate on said frame below said forming plate, folding members mounted on said frame below said forming plate, so as to be movable between a retracted position in which their inner edges are laterally spaced from the outer edges of the operativ portion of said forming plate and an operative position in which their inner edges are moved toward one anothe so that said folding members are interposed between the operative portion of said forming plate and said upper pressure plate, means operatively connected to said folding members for moving them between operative and retracted positions, and means operatively connected to at least one of said pressure plates for causing relative motion of said pressure plates toward one another so, as to press therebetween a fabric sheet folded around said forming plate.

8. The pleating machine of claim '7 in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only, whereby a fabric sheet may be passed thereunder in convenient manner.

9. The pleating machine of claim 8, in which the unsecured end of said forming plate extends out of said aperture and above said table.

10. The pleating machine of claim 7 in which said upper pressure plate is rigidly secured to said frame and said lower pressure plate is movable upwardly toward said upper pressur plate.

11. The pleating machine of claim 10 in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf ,secured to said frame at one end only, whereby a fabric sheet may be passed thereunder in convenient manner.

12. The pleating machine of claim 10 in which said forming plate'comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only, the unsecured end of said forming plate extending out of said aperture and above said table.

13. The pleating machine of claim 7 in which said upper pressure plate is rigidly secured to said frame in cantilever fashion at one end thereof and the one side of said folding members, the edges of said folding members thereby being movable into abutting relationship when said folding members are in operative position, and in which said lower pressure plate is movable upwardly toward said forming plate and said upper pressure plate. I

14. The pleating machine of claim 13in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only and to the same side of said folding members as said upper pressure plate.

15. The pleatingmachine of claim 13 in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only and to the same side of said folding members as said upper pressure plate,.the unsecured end of said forming plate extending out of said aperture and above said table. 7

16. The pleating machine of claim 13 in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only and to the same side of said folding members as said upper pressure plate, the unsecured end of said forming plate extending out of said aperture and above said table, and a leaf spring on the free end of said upper pressure plat engageable with the unsecured end of said forming plate and active to resiliently urge said unsecured forming plate end toward said table.

17. A pleating machine comprising a frame, a forming plate comprising a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only, whereby a fabric sheet may be passed thereunder in convenient manner, an upper pressure plate secured to said frame and overlying but vertically spaced from said forming plate, said forming plate being movable toward and away from said upper pressure plate, a lower pressure plate on said frame below said forming plate, folding members mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a retracted position in which their inner edges are laterally spaced from the outer edges of said forming plate and an operative position in which their inner edges are moved toward one another so that said folding members are interposed between said forming plate and one of said pressure plates, means operatively C011"? nected to said folding members for moving them between operative and retracted positions, and means operatively connected to at least one of said pressure plates for causing relative motion ofsaid pressure plates toward one another so as to press therebetween a fabric sheet folded around said forming plate.

18. A pleating machine comprising a frame, a forming plate movably secured thereto, an upper pressure plate rigidly secured to said frame and overlying but vertically spaced from said forming plate, said forming plate being movable toward and away from said upper pressure plate, a lower pressure plate on said frame below said forming plate and movable upwardly toward upper pressure plate, folding members mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a retracted position in which their inner edges are laterally spaced from the outer edges of said forming plate and an operative position in which their inner edges are moved toward one another so that said folding members are interposed between said forming plate and one of said pressure plates, means operatively connected to said folding members for moving them between operative and retracted positions, and means operatively connected to at least one of said pressure plates for causing relative motion of said pressure plates toward one another so as to press therebetween a fabric sheet folded around said forming plate.

19. A pleating machine comprising a frame, a forming plate comprising a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only, whereby a fabric sheet may be passed thereunder in convenient manner, an upper pressure plate rigidly secured to said frame and overlying but vertically spaced from said forming plate, said forming plate being movable toward and away from said upper pressure plate, a lower pressure plate on said frame below said forming plate and movable upwardly toward said upper pressure plate, folding. members mounted on said frame so as to be movablebetween a retracted position in which their inner edges are laterally spaced from the outer edges of said forming plate and an operative position in which their inner edges are moved toward one another ;so 'that :said gz-folding members are interposed betweerrsaid formingplate and one of said pressure plates, ,rnanstoperatively connected to said folding members for moving them between operative land retracted positions, and means operatively connected-to at least one of said pressure plates for causing relative motion of said pressureplates toward one another so as to press therebetween a fabric sheet folded around said forming plate.

20. A pleating machine comprising a frame, a forming plate movably secured thereto, folding members mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a retracted position in which their inner edges are laterally spaced from the outer edges of said forming plate and an operative position in which their inner edges are moved toward one another so that said folding members overlie said forming plate, an upper pressure plate rigidly secured to said frame in cantilever fashion at one end thereof and to one side of said folding members, the edges of said folding members thereby being movable into abutting relationship when said folding members are in operative position, a lower pressure plate on said frame below said forming plate and movable upwardly toward said forming plate and said upper pressure plate, means operatively connected to at least one of said pressure plates for causing relative motion of said pressure plates toward one another soas to press therebetween a fabric sheet folded around said forming plate.

21. The pleating machine of claim 20 in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only and on the same side of said folding members as said upper pressure plate.

22. A pleating machine comprising a frame, a table thereon having an aperture through which a fabric sheet is passable, a forming plate comprising a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only, whereby a fabric may be passsed thereunder in convenient manner, said leaf extending along and below said aperture substantially parallel to said table, said leaf being narrower than said aperture so that the side edges of said leaf are exposed, an upper pressure plate secured to said frame and overlying but vertically spaced from said leaf, said leaf being movable substantially perpendicular to the plane of said table, a lower pressure plate on said frame below said leaf, folding members mounted on said frame below said leaf so as to be movable between a retracted position in which their inner edges are laterally spaced from the outer edges of said leaf and an operative position in which their inner edges are moved toward one another so that said folding members are interposed between said leaf and said upper pressure plate, means operatively connected to said folding members for moving them between operative and retracted positions, and means operatively connected to at least one of said pressure plates for causing relative motion of said pressure plates toward one another so as to press therebetween a fabric sheet folded around said leaf.

23. The pleating machine of claim 22, in which the unsecured end of said leaf extends out of said aperture and above said table.

24. A pleating machine comprising a frame, a table thereon having an aperture through which a fabric sheet is passable, a forming plate secured to said frame and extending along and below said aperture substantially parallel to said 10 ta e e idx tmie s te e ng mw r. a said aperture so, thatrthej sideed'gles (St-said forming pla,t;e are. exposed, jail upper: pressure plate rigidly ,secured ,to said; frame and overlying but vertically spaced [from said forming-plate, said forming ,pla'te being movable summary pe'rpendicular to ,the plane of .the ltabl'effla lower pressure plateon said frame b'elow.,sai d iformin plate .and movable upwardly. toward said upper pressure plate, folding members mounted on said-frame belowsaid, forming plate so as 'to be movable between a retracted position in which their inner edges are laterally spaced from the outer'edges of said forming plate and an operative position in which their inner edges are moved toward one another so that said folding members are interposed between said forming plate and said upper pressure plate, means operatively connected to said folding members for moving them between operative and retracted positions, and means operatively connected to at least one of said pressure plates for causing relative motion of said pressure plates toward one another so as to press therebetween a fabric sheet folded around said forming plate.-

25. The pleating machine of claim 24, in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only, whereby a fabric sheet may be passed thereunder in convenient manner. v

26. The pleating machine of claim 24, in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only, the unsecured end of said forming plate extending out of said aperture and above said table.

27. A pleating machine comprising a frame, a table thereon having an aperture through which a fabric sheet is passable, a forming plate secured to said frame and extending along and below said aperture substantially parallel to said table, said forming plate being narrower than said aperture so that the side edges of said forming plate are exposed, folding members mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a retracted position in which their inner edges are laterally spaced from the outer edges of said forming plate and an operative position in which their inner edges are moved toward one another so that said folding members overlie said forming plate, an upper pressure plate rigidly secured at one end thereof in cantilever fashion to said frame and to one side of said folding members so as to overlie and be vertically spaced from said forming plate, the edges of said folding members thereby being movable into abutting relationship when said folding members are in operative position, said forming plate being movable substantially perpendicular to the plane of said table, a lower pressure plate on said frame below said forming plate and movable upwardly toward said forming plate and said upper pressure plate, means operatively connected to said folding members for moving them between operative and retracted positions, and means operatively connected to at least one of said pressure plates for causing relative motion of said pressure plates toward one another so as to press therebetween a fabric sheet folded around said forming plate.

28. The pleating machine of claim 2'7, in which said forming plate comprises a resilient leaf secured to said frame at one end only and to the same side of said folding members as said upper pressure plate.

29. The pleating machine of claim 28, in which t 11 the unsecured end of said forming plate extends out of said aperture and above said table;

30. The pleating machine of claim 28, in which the unsecured end of said forming plate'extends out of said aperture and above said table, and 5 in which a leaf spring is provided on the free end of said upper pressure plate engageable with the unsecured end of said forming plate and active to resiliently urge said unsecured forming plate end toward said table.

JACOB SILVERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Dixon Apr. 8, 1930 Number 

